Chapter 35 - Are You an Alchemist?

Chapter 35

Are You an Alchemist?

To maintain his disguise, Su Xiaobai deliberately used spiritual energy to alter his voice, making it sound deep and robust—more like a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties rather than a young person.

On the other side of the consignment window sat an old man with glasses.

The old man appeared relaxed, reclining in a rocking chair and sipping tea leisurely, looking as carefree as a deity. After all, pills were high-value items, with far more people purchasing them than consigning them.

“What grade?”

He barely opened his eyes, casting a glance at Su Xiaobai, who was dressed entirely in black, and lazily drawled.

“Grade 4.” Su Xiaobai replied.

“Grade 4?”

The rocking chair abruptly stopped.

The old man opened his eyes fully and carefully sized up Su Xiaobai.

An intermediate warrior.

Nothing remarkable.

To have acquired a Grade 4 pill, he must have stumbled upon an extraordinary stroke of luck.

“Show me.”

The old man straightened up slowly.

Su Xiaobai extended his hand and placed a Grade 4

Golden Crow Meridian Protection Pill

into the wooden box beneath the window.

“Hmm?”

“A Grade 4

Golden Crow Meridian Protection Pill

?”

“And it’s a

Perfect Grade

?”

The old man’s demeanor changed the instant he glanced at it, his eyes gleaming with sharp focus.

In Base No. 18, Grade 4 or higher pills had only a few possible sources.

The first was the Lin Family, one of the four major families in the base. They had a genuine Grade 4 alchemist who could produce Grade 4 pills.

The second was through channels importing from other bases, though the prices would be significantly higher.

Lastly, one might venture into the wilderness, where fierce beasts roamed, and plunder warriors from other bases. With some luck, one could obtain such items from their possessions.

But if the Lin Family were involved in consigning Grade 4 pills, they wouldn’t need to use a window for it. The Pill Treasure Pavilion had dedicated personnel to handle such transactions. At the mere word of the Lin Family, someone from the pavilion would promptly go to them.

Naturally, the old man assumed that this Grade 4

Golden Crow Meridian Protection Pill

had been acquired by the cloaked figure through some fortunate happenstance. Otherwise, there would be no need for such secrecy.

“It really is a

Perfect Grade

!”

After a closer examination, the old man couldn’t help but nod in recognition.

“Perfect Grade?”

Beyond the visible grade classifications, pills were further divided into more intricate distinctions:

For instance, even among Grade 1 pills, there were [Inferior Grade] pills with less than 20% efficacy—essentially failed products often sold cheaply on the black market.

Then there were [Substandard Grade] pills, with around 50% efficacy.

Normal pills were categorized as [Good Grade], with 100% efficacy.

Above them were [Rare Grade] pills, which had 150% efficacy.

And at the top, there were the exceedingly rare [Perfect Grade] pills, whose efficacy reached 300% of

Good Grade

pills—essentially making one pill equivalent to three.

Su Xiaobai had only ever known about the general grade classifications of pills. Terms like

Inferior Grade

,

Good Grade

,

Rare Grade

, and

Perfect Grade

were entirely foreign to him—after all, he had never needed to use such items.

“May I ask your esteemed surname?”

The old man shed his earlier indolence, now nodding slightly and displaying a hint of respect.

Regardless of how the other party had acquired the pill, the mere fact that it was a Grade 4

Perfect Grade

pill qualified him as a VIP client of the Pill Treasure Pavilion. As a staff member, the old man naturally needed to show proper respect.

“Bai.”

Su Xiaobai replied succinctly. “I heard your Pill Treasure Pavilion offers anonymous consignment auctions without requiring identity cards?”

“Indeed, we do,” the old man confirmed. “Mr. Bai, if you wish to anonymously consign this

Perfect Grade Golden Crow Meridian Protection Pill

for auction, we’d be happy to assist. However, once the auction concludes, we charge a 15% handling fee. Would that be acceptable?”

“That’s fine.”

Su Xiaobai nodded.

“I’ll prepare the paperwork for you right away,” the old man said.

“No rush. I have two more here—consign them all together,” Su Xiaobai said, placing two additional

Golden Crow Meridian Protection Pills

onto the counter.

The old man’s pupils immediately contracted!

Perfect Grade!

The other two

Golden Crow Meridian Protection Pills

were also

Perfect Grade

!

“Sir, if I may ask… are you an alchemist?”

The old man inquired cautiously.

Though he was an ordinary person, his extensive exposure to pills and related knowledge had made him a professional appraiser. True alchemists still commanded his utmost respect.

It wouldn’t be surprising for someone to present a single Grade 4

Perfect Grade

pill. But to produce three of the same type and grade at once strongly implied that the individual might be an alchemist.

Su Xiaobai hesitated for a moment.

Admitting it might attract attention.

Yet denying it could arouse suspicion due to the sheer number of pills he had presented.

He would undoubtedly need to sell more pills in the future, making it impossible to disguise himself as a different person each time. Besides, withdrawing now would be too conspicuous.

After some thought, Su Xiaobai said simply, “Yes.”

Just one word, without unnecessary elaboration.

“An alchemist!”

“And one capable of refining Grade 4 Perfect Grade pills!”

The old man’s expression became visibly excited.

“Mr. Bai, these three

Golden Crow Meridian Protection Pills

might be beyond my authority to handle. Would you mind moving to the VIP room?”

The old man’s tone grew even more respectful, his attitude entirely deferential.

Su Xiaobai nodded, feeling a sense of relief internally.

It seemed his judgment was correct.

Admitting to being an alchemist had earned him higher status and better treatment… Had he denied it, they might have begun investigating him!